San Miguel de
Allende
April 2008
San Miguel was blooming when we arrived; with purple flowered
jacaranda trees above and fuchsia, orange and red bougainvillea below
it
was a floral tapestry. View of a residential section from our condo
below:
Every week or so Greg and Murray hold a sunset cocktail party which
gives you a chance to socialize with the hosts and the other guests and
to see the owner's casita. Las Terrazas consists of 4 independent
casitas
is built on a hillside (hence Las Terrazas) with Casa Grillo (cricket)
at street level and the owners Casa Aguila (eagle) at the top. The view
from there is spectacular, and our view from Casita Colibri just below
was almost
as good. Of course Murray and Greg were consummate hosts to a great
party.
Our living room
Another must see is Fabrica la Aurora, a former textile factory
converted to artists studios and shops. Thursday afternoons are the
best time because all the artists open their studios then.
Murray's paintings can be seen there.
The entry courtyard at La Fabrica
Some of Murray's paintings at Fabrica
la Aurora.
Our decorator said we need "large art"
for our living room so we bought this painting, Fragmentos Ancestrales
III, by Merry Calderoni. Ms. Calderoni's work is influenced by the
walls of Mexican cities and especially the Aztec and Mayan ruins.
Her art incorporates paint, wax, stamps and molds to produce the
desired design, color , texture and bas relief. Our painting was
part of a one artist exhibit "Mexcavations" at the Museo de Bellas
Artes. It is
approx. 5 ft by 8 ft.
Scenes from La Fabrica
Fountains, everywhere.
Instituto Allende, founded after WWII as a Spanish language and art
school for
GIs.
Another view of La Parroquia, this time from the restaurant Mi Casa
on the Instituto lower
patio. The Instituto is so
quiet at night that few venture through the courtyard to find the steps
down to the lower patio.
Home
San Miguel was blooming when we arrived; with purple flowered
jacaranda trees above and fuchsia, orange and red bougainvillea below
it
was a floral tapestry. View of a residential section from our condo
below:
San Miguel de Allende, a Spanish Colonial city in central Mexico, is getting well known as a destination for tourism and laid back living. Not only do we have several friends who have been there, but we know some people who have moved there. SMA resident Jennifer Butz suggested we stay at Las Terrazas B&B www.terrazassanmiguel.com. We like to stay at B&Bs when we travel, but staying at Las Terrazas was a different experience. First the hosts, Murray and Greg, went out of their way not only to make us feel at home but to solve our travel problems. The first few nights we planned to be in SMA a casita at Las Terrazas was not available, so they arranged to have us stay in a condo nearby. When our flight was delayed they rearranged transportation and were there to greet us when we arrives at 2:00 am. On top of all this they stocked the condo for breakfast so we would not awake hungry in a strange city. Second, the B&B experience at Las Terrazas is based on privacy and not community. There is no common dining room and instead breakfast is delivered as ordered to each casita the night before. Breakfast in bed your fancy? It is certainly possible.
The view from Las Terrazas, looking away from downtown. The buildings in the foreground are the condo complex where we stayed a few nights. Our condo was the first floor unit on the far right.
The Gothic church La Parroquia is the major landmark in Centro.
La Parroquia sits at one side of the Jardin, or central garden.
Santa Domingo Bells, photo by Murray Friedman
An "artsy" shot by Murray along Correo, the street between our condo and the jardin.
Our friend Jennifer Butz, who runs the Bagel Cafe, chats with Pat.
A recommended activity is the house and garden tour leaving from the
Biblioteca at noon every Sunday. This was our first glimpse of the posh
life that is possible in SMA. Tropical Spanish houses show little from
the street with all the beauty in and around central courtyards. The
three houses we saw were outstanding
but none out shown Las Terrazas. Scenes from the tour below.
The home tour took us past, the hot spring SMA was founded around. It is still used for laundry (see the tubs) and a frequent site for art shows.
Lunch at La Puertecita Hotel.
Every week or so Greg and Murray hold a sunset cocktail party which
gives you a chance to socialize with the hosts and the other guests and
to see the owner's casita. Las Terrazas consists of 4 independent
casitas
is built on a hillside (hence Las Terrazas) with Casa Grillo (cricket)
at street level and the owners Casa Aguila (eagle) at the top. The view
from there is spectacular, and our view from Casita Colibri just below
was almost
as good. Of course Murray and Greg were consummate hosts to a great
party.
The owners apartment, Casa Aquila, is at the upper-most level of Las Terrazas.
Greg attracted the pretty ladies. Murray listens to another guest.
Our living room
Our terrace.
Another must see is Fabrica la Aurora, a former textile factory
converted to artists studios and shops. Thursday afternoons are the
best time because all the artists open their studios then.
Murray's paintings can be seen there.
The entry courtyard at La Fabrica
The rooms of the old factory were often discolored and this artist decided not to have hers painted.
Some of Murray's paintings at Fabrica
la Aurora.
Our decorator said we need "large art"
for our living room so we bought this painting, Fragmentos Ancestrales
III, by Merry Calderoni. Ms. Calderoni's work is influenced by the
walls of Mexican cities and especially the Aztec and Mayan ruins.
Her art incorporates paint, wax, stamps and molds to produce the
desired design, color , texture and bas relief. Our painting was
part of a one artist exhibit "Mexcavations" at the Museo de Bellas
Artes. It is
approx. 5 ft by 8 ft.
Scenes from La Fabrica
Fountains, everywhere.
Instituto Allende, founded after WWII as a Spanish language and art
school for
GIs.